A Nanaimo alpine skier has earned the opportunity to wear the maple leaf in world championship competition.
Ron Greenhorn will represent Canada at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin next month.
"I'm used to the smaller qualifiers, not worlds, so it will be a new experience, for sure," he said.
Greenhorn will compete in the slalom, giant slalom and super G after winning a silver and a bronze at nationals in Calgary last year. He likes the challenge of racing all three events.
"I like all of them. I like the faster ones more, I like to go fast," he said.
The 40-year-old is a longtime competitor in multiple sports, and is a former winner of Special Olympics B.C.'s Spirit of Sport Award for sportsmanship, something he still looks back on proudly. He knows snowshoers, speed skaters and figure skaters going to worlds, as well as fellow skiers, and has roomed with some of them for years during Special Olympics competitions.
"I'm one of those athletes who likes to cheer on [other] athletes. I concentrate on my race, but I like to help the other athletes out and cheer them on too…" he said. "You can do a little bit of both."
He leaves Monday, March 3, and the games get underway on March 8.
Greenhorn said it's hard to put into words what it will mean to wear the maple leaf at worlds.
"It's a cool experience representing Canada," he said.
